Nissan’s Duster-based SUV to be positioned higher than its Renault sibling

The upcoming Duster will focus on the domestic market while Nissan’s version is aimed more at export.

Published on Jun 17, 2024 08:30:00 AM

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France-based Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan are working on bringing their midsize SUV contenders, the new Duster and its yet-unnamed Nissan counterpart, to the Indian market by 2025. While teasers and our exclusive on the models' powertrain options, had revealed some details, we now have new information indicating that Nissan’s offering will be more upmarket than the new Duster.

Duster’s starting price to be lower than the Nissan SUV based on it
New Nissan SUV to get more features than Duster
While both SUVs are marked for export, Nissan’s would be more focused on overseas markets

Renault Duster, Nissan SUV: feature differences

The two SUVs will share a lot under the skin, from the heavily localised CMF-B platform to the likely three petrol engine options, which could include the 1.0-litre HR10, the 1.3-litre HR13 turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol.

Obviously, the SUVs will be differentiated with brand-specific styling cues—outside and inside. Moreover, in a move akin to the Maruti-Toyota partnership, Renault and Nissan will further separate their respective offerings with differences in features and variant line-ups. Sources tell us that Nissan’s SUV will have more upmarket features and specs than the Duster and fewer variants.

The entry-level 1.5 NA engine could be reserved for the Duster. Top-spec variants of Nissan’s SUV are likely to be more premium, right from upholstery to tech. However, there’s no word on which upmarket features will be skipped for the Renault Duster.

Hence, the Renault Duster could be a direct rival to more affordable midsize SUVs, such as the naturally aspirated petrol versions of the MG Astor (starting price: Rs 9.98 lakh) and Grand Vitara (Rs 10.99 lakh*). Meanwhile, Nissan’s SUV will likely see more direct competition from the Honda Elevate (Rs 11.69 lakh*), Skoda Kushaq (Rs 11.59 lakh) and VW Taigun (Rs 11.62 lakh).

Even the seven-seat versions of the all-new Duster—shown as the Bigster concept and expected to launch in India by 2026—are likely to see a similar treatment, with Renault’s offering being more affordable than Nissan’s. These SUVs would rival the Hyundai Alcazar.

While both midsize SUVs will be made in India and sold locally and overseas, the Duster will be geared towards the domestic market, and Nissan’s version will be export-oriented.

Renault Duster, Nissan SUV: design differences

Thanks to the teasers released in March, we know that the upcoming Renault Duster for India bears some similarities with the model that has gone on sale abroad. However, it gets a tweaked headlight design and a restyled front bumper. Meanwhile, the Nissan SUV features L-shaped LED DRLs that are connected by an LED light bar running across the nose.

More details will be revealed as the launches of the new Renault Duster and its Nissan counterpart near. Stay tuned.

All prices, ex-showroom, India

*Prices, ex-showroom, Delhi

Also see:

Renault Symbioz SUV revealed, shares platform with new Duster

Deep Drive Podcast: future of Renault, Nissan in India and more

Maruti Fronx AMT vs Nissan Magnite AMT comparison

Nissan X-Trail to get 1.5 turbo-petrol at launch; no hybrid

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